New Zealand Automobile Association
Encyclopedia
The New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA or AA) is a mutual organisation and an incorporated society
that provides vehicle breakdown assistance and related services to its members. Founded in New Zealand in 1903, the AA has grown from a pioneering automobile club
to a multi-faceted organisation offering motoring advice, insurance, finance, maps and travel guides, and is regarded as a significant advocate for New Zealand motorists within the transport sector and by government.
The AA is a member of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
(FIA) and Alliance Internationale de Tourisme
, through which its members can receive reciprocal road service in a number of companies across the world.
In 1964 a Secretariat was formed in Wellington for the purpose of national advocacy. For many years George Fairbairn held the role of General Secretary. Mr Fairbairn was the public face of the Motoring Affairs division until he retired in 2005.
During the 1980s, the now 17 district associations began to merge and formed the New Zealand Automobile Association. The final merger of the NZAA was achieved in 1991 and a corporate office was established in Auckland, under the leadership of the present Chief Executive, Brian Gibbons. Motoring Affairs remained in Wellington under General Manager Mike Noon.
Products and services diversified through new joint venture companies, franchise operations and business partnerships during the 1990s. During 2003, the NZAA celebrated its centenary and reached the one million member mark. The inaugural AA Motoring Excellence Awards was held in 2005, and is now an annual event. Every two years the NZAA organises an ENERGYWISE Rally to highlight the fuel consumption of vehicles and the benefits of fuel efficient driving.
Incorporated society
in New Zealand an incorporated society is defined as being a group of at least 15 people who have applied for registration under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908....
that provides vehicle breakdown assistance and related services to its members. Founded in New Zealand in 1903, the AA has grown from a pioneering automobile club
Motor club
Motor clubs are organizations, either for-profit or non-profit, which motorists can join to enjoy certain benefits provided by the club relating to driving a vehicle. There is typically an annual membership fee to join...
to a multi-faceted organisation offering motoring advice, insurance, finance, maps and travel guides, and is regarded as a significant advocate for New Zealand motorists within the transport sector and by government.
The AA is a member of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
(FIA) and Alliance Internationale de Tourisme
Alliance Internationale de Tourisme
Alliance Internationale de Tourisme is an international federation of motoring organisations created to "represent the interests of national automobile associations and touring clubs"...
, through which its members can receive reciprocal road service in a number of companies across the world.
History
In May 1903, Dr George Thomas Humphrey de Clive-Low and 20 other motoring enthusiasts founded the Auckland Automobile Association, the first motoring association in New Zealand. Another 13 associations were soon set up around the country. The automobile associations pioneered the concept of the driver's licence in New Zealand. In 1924 the first road map was produced and soon other AA districts were opening up around the country providing access to the expanding range of services.In 1964 a Secretariat was formed in Wellington for the purpose of national advocacy. For many years George Fairbairn held the role of General Secretary. Mr Fairbairn was the public face of the Motoring Affairs division until he retired in 2005.
During the 1980s, the now 17 district associations began to merge and formed the New Zealand Automobile Association. The final merger of the NZAA was achieved in 1991 and a corporate office was established in Auckland, under the leadership of the present Chief Executive, Brian Gibbons. Motoring Affairs remained in Wellington under General Manager Mike Noon.
Products and services diversified through new joint venture companies, franchise operations and business partnerships during the 1990s. During 2003, the NZAA celebrated its centenary and reached the one million member mark. The inaugural AA Motoring Excellence Awards was held in 2005, and is now an annual event. Every two years the NZAA organises an ENERGYWISE Rally to highlight the fuel consumption of vehicles and the benefits of fuel efficient driving.
Products and services
- AA Roadservice provides breakdown assistance 24/7. The Service Response Centre receives around 780,000 calls per year. AA Roadservice attends just under 500,000 roadside jobs annually.
- Motoring Services provides AA Members and New Zealand motorists with a range of products and services including vehicle testing stations, service and repairs, driver licensing and driver training. Services also include up-to-date car reviews and motoring advice. With an interactive website, motorists can undertake a mock New Zealand Road Code test or ask their motoring questions.
- AA Motoring Affairs works with the government, industry and media to represent the interests of motorists and the interests of its Members. The AA is a voice of support for the mobility of Members.
- AA Tourism provides a wide range of travel services and free information. AA Centres have travel guides, maps, accommodation and attraction information, most of which are available through the website. Reservations can be made through the website and there are often special rates for Members.
- AA Rewards is the AA's loyalty programme and enables members to collect points towards vouchers to spend at AA Reward Partners, or to put towards their next membership renewal fee.
- AA InsuranceAA InsuranceAA Insurance Limited was launched in 1994 and is a joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association and Suncorp-Metway Limited.AA Insurance has over 350 staff servicing 150,000 plus customers and manages almost 300,000 policies...
includes house and contents insurance, car insurance, travel insurance and life insurance. Further benefits are offered to AA Members, including AA Reward Points and discounts on insurance policies. - AA Finance is a credit service available for car purchases.
- AA Maps, a website in collaboration with GeoSmartGeoSmartGeoSmart Ltd is a provider of location based services and digital mapping data and images for the Oceania area, notably New Zealand. The company is one of only a handful of global companies producing digital maps for use in GPS applications....
that allows customers to customise maps with details such as points of interestPoint of interestA point of interest, or POI, is a specific point location that someone may find useful or interesting. An example is a point on the Earth representing the location of the Space Needle, or a point on Mars representing the location of the mountain, Olympus Mons.The term is widely used in...
.